SINTOK, April 21 – Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has taken immediate steps to establish two special committees to investigate the accident that claimed the life of one of its students and to reassess the safety level of the shuttle bus service on campus.

UUM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Foad Sakdan said the Accident Investigation Committee will conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of the incident, including ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety aspects.

Meanwhile, the Campus Shuttle Bus Service Evaluation Integrity Committee was established to assess the operational efficiency, compliance with regulations, integrity and effectiveness of the campus transportation system as a whole.

"The Police are also conducting an investigation into this incident. UUM is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all university residents is always a priority," he said in a statement.

In the incident last Saturday morning, Semester 4 student of the Bachelor of Marketing with Honours program, Manarina Hasya Muhamad Karim, 22, died after being crushed by a bus while walking and waiting for her turn to board the bus on campus.

The victim was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the Sultanah Bahiyyah Hospital (HSB), Alor Setar on the same evening due to internal injuries, namely bruises on the heart believed to have been caused by a collision involving a vehicle.

Dr. Mohd Foad also expressed his condolences to the deceased's family on behalf of all UUM residents.

"The university has taken immediate action to assist the deceased's family in the process of sending and managing the body and providing assistance in the form of insurance compensation, charity assistance, and so on," he explained.

UUM is also providing welfare assistance and counseling support to friends and families of the victim who were affected by the tragic incident.